Boxing India (BI) on verge of collapse; thrown into turmoil

Indian boxing could be thrown into turmoil with speculation rife that the sport's governing body, Boxing India, is on the verge of disintegration and its President Sandeep Jajodia might even resign at its Executive Committee meeting on Thursday.

Boxing India (BI), which has been fighting to get recognition from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), stands a house divided with 16 of the 20 EC members deciding on Wednesday that they would not attend the meeting called by Jajodia on technical grounds.

"We had requested for a General Body meeting but there was no response from Mr Jajodia on this. As far as the EC meeting is concerned, only the Secretary General is authorised to call it, not the President. So, on technical grounds, we will not attend the meeting," said one of the EC members. Boxing India, on its part, refused to comment on the development, sticking to a wait and watch policy.

"It will not be appropriate to comment on the participation at this point. We have sent out a formal agenda and a notice for the meeting. Only tomorrow we will get to know which side do we have to go," BI spokesperson Neetal Narang said. Amid the furore, there is speculation that Jajodia's working relationship with BI Secretary General Jay Kowli has all but collapsed. Kowli, in fact, is not expected to be in attendance at tomorrow's EC gathering.

Sources said the final straw that broke the camel's back was Kowli allegedly forging Jajodia's signature in a letter to the Asian Boxing Confederation recently. "Jajodia has already sent out a mail to all members that he cannot work with Kowli anymore after he forged his signatures. With the situation being what it is right now, Jajodia might even put in his papers tomorrow," a source said.

When asked about the speculation, the BI spokesperson offered a cryptic answer. "Mr Jajodia did not take up this job for any personal gains. He has tried all he can to make things work but hasn't got good support," Narang said. One of the EC members said there was a sense of disconnect with Jajodia. "He hardly responds to our suggestions and communication. It has become frustrating," he said.

BI had been granted recognition by International Boxing Association last year after the erstwhile Indian Amateur Boxing Federation was terminated for manipulating elections. However, BI has been denied recognition by the IOA.